The Kachalov Theater reopens after reconstruction

On September 7, speaking at a ceremony of reopening of the Kazan Kachalov Academic Russian Drama Theater after its reconstruction,Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that Tatarstan should have a respectable Russian theater to go and invite guests to.

Today, for the first time in several years, the theater actors performed Mikhail Zoshchenko’s comedy The Wedding on the main stage.

"We are very pleased that our dream has come true. We have made a long way to make a full reconstruction of the theater. We have watched a great performance on the new stage, enjoying good sound. I hope that all other attributes match the requirements as well. The theatre is made to last many years. Tatarstan is a multiethnic republic and I think that we should have a respectable Russian theater to go and invite our guests to,” Head of the republic said, addressing the audience after the performance.

In his turn, the Artistic Director of the theater Alexander Slavutsky thanked Rustam Minnikhanov for the support given to the theater, noting that other Russian regions could be envious of such an attitude.

The building, which houses the Drama Theatre, will turn one hundred years old this year. The need to reconstruct the building was stated from the beginning of the 90s. The first stage of reconstruction began in 2000, while the third main stage began in late 2011, after announcing Rustam Minnikhanov's decision  at a solemn event dedicated the 220th anniversary of the theater. Since May 2012 and till this day, the Kachalov Theater group played their performances on the small stage.

Alexander Slavutsky told reporters that after reconstruction works an area of the theater increased by 80 per cent to make 18,000-19,000 square meters.

According to the theater’s Artistic Director the works done are unique in some way. Theaters are reconstructed in Russia, but the works done at the Kachalov Theater are unprecedented because funds to perform works were allocated from the regional budget.

"This is the uniqueness of our region. We show an example of tolerant coexistence in the field of interethnic relations to all the people," Slavutsky said.

The cost of all works from the very first stage of reconstruction made about 1 billion roubles, including 200 million roubles allocated from the federal budget and the rest - from the regional budget.

"I sincerely thank the President for his taking such a decision. I believe that we can be proud that we can live in Tatarstan, that is, create,” Slavutsky said.